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Explore our visa categories, requirements, and application procedures.
The Special Category Visa is a specific type of visa granted by the government of Vanuatu to individuals who fall under various categories, including government employees, diplomatic mission members, prescribed donor agency members, and more. This visa is designed for those who have a unique status in Vanuatu, and it allows them to stay in the country for a specified period.
To be eligible for a Special Category Visa, you must fit into one of the following categories:
If you wish to change your status from another visa category to a Special Category Visa, you should follow the same application process outlined in the “How to Apply” section. Your eligibility for a change of status will be assessed based on the criteria mentioned above.
The fees for a Special Category Visa application may vary and should be confirmed with the relevant authorities or the Vanuatu Immigration & Passport Services. It is advisable to inquire about the current fee structure when you submit your application.
The validity of a Special Category Visa can vary, and it will be determined at the time of application approval. It is essential to check the visa’s specific validity period indicated on the visa itself. Special Category Visas can be granted for various durations depending on the individual circumstances and purpose of stay.
To apply for a Special Category Visa, you should follow these steps:
Complete and sign the Special Category Visa Application Form for yourself and each person aged 18 years and over included in your application.
Provide a valid passport (if you are in Vanuatu) or a certified copy of the bio-data page and used passport pages (if you are outside Vanuatu). Ensure that the passport you submit is the one you intend to use for entry to Vanuatu.
Include two recent passport-sized photographs of yourself and each person included in your application, with names written on the back of the photographs.
If any person included in your application is under 18 years old, provide a certified copy of their birth certificate.
For individuals aged 18 or above, supply an original police certificate from all countries they have resided in for 12 months or more in the last 5 years.
Individuals aged 18 or above must also undergo a medical examination conducted by a registered medical practitioner.
If you are married, include a certified copy of your marriage certificate. If you have been widowed or divorced, provide the relevant certified documents.
Obtain a letter of recommendation from the appropriate authority based on your category:
a. The Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs for diplomatic representatives or their family members. b. The relevant commissioner (Public Service, Police, Teaching, or Judiciary) for government employees or those seconded to government departments or their family members. c. The head of a donor agency meeting specific criteria for agency members or their family members.
Submit a medical certificate, proof of a return ticket, and a police clearance.
Special Category Visa applications are not directly submitted to Immigration but to the relevant authorities who will assess your application before forwarding a letter of recommendation or request letter to Vanuatu Immigration & Passport Services. Follow up with the relevant authorities for the status of your application.
Description:
The Diplomatic Visa is a special type of visa granted by the government of Vanuatu to individuals who are currently outside Vanuatu, are exempt from visa requirements and intend to come to Vanuatu for a defined period as the diplomatic representative of a country or of an accredited international
organisation.
Criteria:
To be eligible for a Diplomatic Visa in Vanuatu, applicants must meet the following criteria:
• The applicant must be outside Vanuatu at the time of application.
• The applicant is the holder of a diplomatic passport.
• The applicant is on a diplomatic mission for a foreign government in Vanuatu
• The applicant is a family member of the holder of the diplomatic passport
• The Director must receive a written advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs supporting the application for a Diplomatic visa
Change of Status:
Diplomatic Visa for Vanuatu is eligible for multiple entry, is allowed to extend visa subject to prescribed conditions and does not allow for a change of status. Holders of this visa must not engage in any employment or commercial or business activities unless the employment or business or commercial activities are the basis of which his or her visa was granted. It provides for secondary applicant.
Fees:
There is no visa application charge payable for a Diplomatic Visa.
Validity:
The period of stay of the applicant is upon the discretion of the Director.
Description:
The Social Exchange Visa is a type of visa given to individuals who are in Vanuatu or outside Vanuatu and are applying for a visa to reside in Vanuatu. The applicant purpose for the following activities:
• Participate in a community support program sponsored by an organization or entity
• Undertake a research project spored by an educational institution
• Engage in a film making or other media activity sponsored by a media or film organization, with a permit from the Cultural center.
• Student Attachment
Criteria:
To be eligible for a social exchange visa in Vanuatu, applicants must meet the
following criteria:
• The applicant intends to enter Vanuatu to:
▪ Participate in a community support program sponsored by an organization or entity
▪ Undertake research project sponsored by an educational institution
▪ Engage in a film making or other media activity sponsored by a media or film organization, with a permit from the cultural centre.
• The Director must receive a written advice from the sponsoring organization or entity under subparagraph (a) (i) detailing the nature and location of the proposed activity and the proposed time frame.
• The director must receive written advice from the sponsoring educational institution under subparagraph (a) (ii) (either inside or outside Vanuatu) detailing the nature and location of the proposed
research activity and the proposed timeframe and the profile of the applicant
• The Director must receive written advice from the sponsoring media or film organization under subparagraph (a) (iii) detailing the nature of the proposed activity and the proposed time frame and the profile of the applicant.
Change of status:
Social Exchange visa of Vanuatu
• allows for multiple entry
• provides for secondary applicant.
• must not engage in any employment activity outside the proposed employment activity
• is not allowed to change his or her visa status.
• The international students who are in Vanuatu will continue with the attachment without engaging in any employment outside their attachment activities.
Fees:
When applying for Social Exchange Visa in Vanuatu, applicants should be aware of the following visa application fees:
• Individual: 61,800 Vatu
• Concert groups: 103,000 Vatu
• Student attachment is exempted from fee charge
Validity:
Social Exchange visa of Vanuatu is valid for a maximum period of 12 months.
Description:
The Bridging Visa is a type of visa given to individuals who are in Vanuatu and has applied for a substantive visa and the Director is satisfied that it is appropriate to grant a bridging visa so that the application has lawful status in Vanuatu which the substantive visa application is processed.
Criteria:
To be eligible for a Bridging Visa in Vanuatu, applicants must meet the following criteria:
• Must be in Vanuatu at the time of his or her application
• The applicant’s visa has expired but requires a Bridging Visa to prepare documents for Vanuatu National Provident Fund and Immigration Bond for departing.
Change of status:
Bridging Visa of Vanuatu:
• Allows for single entry only
• Must physically reside in Vanuatu
• Is allowed to change his or her visa status
• Is allowed to extend his or her visa; BUT
• Must not engage in any employment, business or commercial activity
Fees:
The visa application charge for a Bridging Visa in Vanuatu is 15,450 Vatu.
Ensure that the fees are paid when applying for the visa. Incomplete or partially complete application will not be accepted.
Validity:
A Bridging Visa for Vanuatu is valid for a maximum period of up to 3 months
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